Little Island News
March 22nd, 20073 July
Please be advised that the island’s catamaran, Sea Star, is currently out of action due to a fault in one of the engines. Work is urgently being carried out in Rhodes and it is hoped that it will be in service again shortly. In the meantime, alternative arrangements have been made for your transfer to Tilos. As soon as there is any further news I shall put details on this news page.
The new reception block has now been completed at Ilidi Rock and Ilias is most usually to be found in his new office there. The gymnasium is fully equipped and free for use by all residents of Ilidi Rock Studios, Apartments and Suites so you can work off any extra calories!!
24 June
Following consultation with the Cat Protection League in the UK Ian and his wife Lynn are organising a programme on the island to provide veterinary treatment for the animals on Tilos. The programme was launched recently at a live music event at Faros and we are organising for two vets to visit the island for the benefit of all animals but with an emphasis on where the help is most needed - the cat population. Neutering will be carried out in order to limit the population and common ailments will be treated to ensure that the feline population remains healthy. Cats are needed on Tilos as they help to control the mice and rats which inevitably live in a rural environment. This is not a feeding programme as the cats need to be self-sufficient to survive the lean winters on the island. Little Island Holidays will provide the flights for the vets, Stelios has kindly agreed to give free accommodation and the Mayor has said he will help out with some of the drugs that may be required. We need to collect for traps to catch the cats and other equipment which, once purchased, will be on the island for regular use as required. Thank you to all of you who have supported us so far and to the Cat Protection League for their advice and support - I shall keep you posted of developments.
4 June
For those of you wishing to use the ATM machine on Tilos, please contact your card issuer before travelling to authorise use abroad. Many banks are now blocking withdrawals from unusual locations to protect against fraud. This can easily be remedied by telephoning your bank from Tilos and authorising the transactions. However, it is cheaper to phone from home before you come on holiday.
You may have seen mention of Tilos recently in the UK since Tilos was recently host to the first same-sex marriages in Greece. Since such marriages are not strictly legal yet (endorsed by the European Union but not written in to Greek law to date) this has caused quite a stir on the island and in Greece as a whole. Quite a few television camera crews have been visiting Tilos to cover the story recently and several of the locals have appeared on national television giving their opinions of events. The Mayor, Tassos Aliferis, has always been quite a pioneer for the island - the hunting ban was a unilateral decision which was against the Greek constitution. It may be quiet on Tilos, but it’s never dull!
27 May
There is now a new flight available from Newcastle to Rhodes starting from 4 June and running until 12 October. This will be good news for all in the north east, especially since XL cancelled their service.
We are expecting a mini heatwave on Tilos - temperature may soar to 39 degrees C. For those arriving this week, make sure you take it easy on arrival and drink plenty of water.
24 May
Sea Star has arrived from Athens today at last - making it down from Piraeus in record time on a flat calm sea. Thank you to all those of you who put up with a longer journey on the Panagia Spiliani.
Work has stopped on the sea front road due to a lack on paving stones . . . nothing like planning ahead is there!!!
12 May
There have been a number of minor flight time changes recently - please check your tickets carefully when they arrive for accurate timings and hold luggage allowances. The same restrictions as last year apply for hand luggage (see under Flights and Transfers section for information).
The crazy paving process is continuing apace and should be completed by the end of May. The work didn’t stop a group of music enthusiasts making their way to Faros to hear Mike Gordon play jazz piano over lunchtime yesterday!
The island is as peaceful as ever and generally enjoying good weather and temperatures around 25 degrees C - perfect weather for walking and bird spotting. Golden orioles are much in evidence, as well as rollers and one of the Bonelli’s eagles was spotted over Marina Beach Hotel.
2 May
The crazy paving has now started on the seafront road - despite previous information that this would not happen until next winter. Work is progressing quickly and should be completed in two (Greek) weeks.
3 April
Kiriako Economou (from Sofia’s Taverna) passed away shortly before Christmas. Thank you to all of you who expressed their sympathy. Sofia sends thanks for all the kind messages she has received and for the plastic flowers for the grave since they last so much longer in the heat. As many of you know, he had not been in good health for the last few years and he will be much missed by his family and also by many visitors, particularly from the early days, who knew him well.
The Taverna will open as usual in the summer.
27 March
Hope you all had an enjoyable Easter - despite the wintry weather! Makes Tilos in summer seem all the more attractive, bathed in glorious sunshine.
Plans are moving along to pedestrianise the beach road - the stone tiling will not go down until next winter but the concrete has been laid in preparation. This will make the sea front free from traffic adding to the peace and tranquility of the island. For those who have not visited Tilos for a few years, there have been many moves to beautify the island, particularly in the harbour area and with a picturesque walkway along the sea front from the harbour to Irina Restaurant.
Just a quick reminder to check your passports are valid and that you have travel insurance in place. Following changes in passport regulations it is very difficult to get a new passport at short notice so make sure they are fully valid.
5 March
XL Airways have advised that their luggage allowance is 15Kg for the hold plus 5Kg for hand luggage. You can increase your hold luggage allowance by 5Kg for £7.50 pp one way or £15 return either by calling 0845 608 1740 or via the website xl.com (travel extras). You will need your flight booking reference (Ticket Conf No on your invoice).
Monarch (MON flight numbers), Thomson (TOM), First Choice (FCA) all allow 20Kg in the hold plus 5Kg hand luggage.
Dikea Studio has now been sold to new British owners, Dennis & Carol Kelly. They are refurbishing the studio adding a new kitchen and redecorating ready for the summer. Dikea Studio is a lovely characterful property in the heart of the village with a lovely balcony with views over the bay.
26 February
Greetings to you all - I know many of you are counting down to your holidays now - don’t forget your balance payments are due 12 weeks before you travel. You can either call me with card details or send a cheque straight to Holiday Direct in Southampton. Remember to make cheques payable to Holiday Direct Ltd.
Please remember to check your baggage allowance this year as some carriers have reduced the allowance to 15KG per person.
Due to a cancellation I have a one-week flight from Manchester departing 16 July at a reduced price! This can be matched with any accommodation - please get in touch if you are interested!
Tilos was voted second most popular quiet Greek island destination by the Scandinavians. There are plans afoot to make the seafront free from traffic in the future which will help to keep the peace and quiet by the beach too.
7 February
Just a quick update to you all! Don’t forget that this year any necessary overnighting in Rhodes will be covered by Little Island - hopefully this will be a rare occurrence!
For those of you with flights booked with XL, please be sure to check your flight tickets to see whether an in-flight meal will be included or not. Having originally said that they were not including meals on any flight with a V at the end of it, they have now dropped the Vs and seem unclear whether or not a meal will be provided. When I called to try and clarify the situation, I was advised to check the flight tickets when they arrived!
Tilos has had a chilly spell recently and some very strong winds. There has been some rain but a lot of it has fallen too fast on dry soil and streams away into the sea before having time to soak through to the water table. Hopefully some more will fall before the spring. In any event, please be sparing with the water when you are on holiday. Water is a precious resource these days, particularly on a small island.
14 December
Just to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy, healthy NEW YEAR!!! Have a wonderful time everyone!
3 December
Greetings Tilos lovers!
The last month has been particularly dealing with advance bookings for 2008. The flight schedules have been settling down following Thomas Cook’s takeover of MyTravel which has led to new flights from Edinburgh and Belfast. Please do get in touch regarding your regional airport to check if there is a suitable flight that will tie in with the Sea Star.
Tilos has been enjoying mild weather so far this winter. There has been some rainfall but a lot of it fell to heavily on dry ground to soak down to the water table. Hopefully the second half of winter will see a bit more rain to top up the water supply.
Tilos also saw its first Force 10 gale which managed to take out the windows of the kafenion at Megalo Horio! On a small island, the weather is a constant concern. I know from the winters I have spent on the island you really respect the force of nature when it shows its muscle!
For 2008 Little Island will be covering hotel costs should you have to overnight in Rhodes - this will add to the service we give and leave you with more spending money.
We continue to be ATOL licensed via our membership of the Holiday Direct Travel Group. This means your money is protected at all times. If you have any queries, however, you should always get in touch with Little Island on 0845 608 1740.
Thank you to everyone who supported Little Island in 2007 and to those of you who have re-booked already for 2008! I wish you all a very happy and healthy festive season!
26 October
Strange events are unravelling off the Tilos shoreline. A Saudi registered yacht was discovered anchored of Prassonisi with two dead men on board. Two passing yachts discovered the men after boarding the yacht which appeared to have drifted onto the rocks. The discovery was reported to the Tilos port police who have called in forensics experts from Rhodes to examine the crime scene.
Re: Enquiry Forms from the website - due to a technical problem, any enquiry forms sent from this website were not delivered between 1 October and 25 October. If you sent an enquiry during this time, please accept our apologies. The fault now appears to have been rectified, so please re-send your enquiry! Many thanks for your patience.
15 October
Thank you to all of you who donated money to the disaster fund following the fires in Greece which killed over 60 people and destroyed hundreds of homes. E250 was collected and has been paid into the Dodecanese Bank.
Saturday saw the first rains of the autumn and Saturday night we saw some spectacular lightening across the bay -much needed heavy rain followed during the night, clearing during Sunday to let the sun shine through once again.
Mike Gordon entertained a good crowd at The Faros Hotel last night - Mike’s jazz piano has built up quite a following!
I am working through 2008 bookings and will get back to you but as I am still working alone - please be patient!!
I shall keep you up to date with Tilos news during the winter, too.
18 September
Tilos is still bathed in glorious sunshine and Little Island has had a very successful first year! We managed to bring over 80% of number of clients Laskarina brough to the island last year. Thank you all for your support! At present there are 128 Little Island guests on the island enjoying the delights of Tilos.
If you have requested a booking for 2008, it will be pencilled in for you and I shall get back to you in October regarding flights, prices and deposits.
Ian Hogg has enjoyed his first year as the Little Island Guide for Tilos. I am very pleased to say that he has agreed to work for the company again next year - he has really enjoyed the job and particularly the Sunset Trips!
Don’t forget that we offer regional flights (not just Manchester and Gatwick) so always mention your nearest airport when making enquiries.
20 August
Election Fever! The Greek general election has been set for 16 September. The short lead time is a tactic by Nea Demokratia (New Democrats, the conservative party) to catch PASOK (the socialist party) on the hop. Doubtless the local Tilians will be out on the hustings and although traditionally the islands tend to vote PASOK national indications are that it will be a close battle!
9 August
If you are keen to escape the UK, there is still some accommodation available from 19 September to the end of the season (17 October)! The gorgeous weather and peace and quiet and the perfect antidote after a difficult British summer.
22 July 2007
Livadia Beach Apartments & Studios are now all equipped with air conditioining - this is available to Little Island guests at E35 per day (payable locally) - the same preferential rate that is offered at Ilidi and Irini (normal price E42 per week).
Ilidi Rock Studios are completely booked from 5/9 to 19/9 and I only have one studio and one apartment left at Livadia Beach.
Yesterday saw one of the longest power cuts on Tilos - 14 hours! A JCB working on Nisyros for the national electric company (DEH) managed to cut the main and the reserve cables which bring the island’s electricity from Kos, via Nisyros. Cheers greeted the return of power at 10pm! Guests were treated to an amazing view of the night sky and aside from the absence of air con and cold drinks, life went on pretty much as normal. Thankfully cuts this long are extremely rare!
16 July 2007
Don’t forget to check airline regulations on the Flights & Transfers page and remember that the same regulations apply now when flying from Rhodes.
Despite increased security measures, the flights still been arriving on time so far. If you get caught in queues just remember it is only for our own safety!
There is a possibility of setting up a painting holiday and also a yoga holiday - if you think you might be interested in either of these, let me know by e-mail: info@littlelislandholidays.co.uk
I am now accepting bookings for 2008, so if you want your first choice of accommodation, get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
15 July 2007
The blistering heatwave has passed although it is still very warm of course, as we head towards August! There has been a good breeze though to keep things fresh.
A new cafe bar has now opened in the Square - To Petrino had its official opening on Saturday, 14 July. Mercuri, Heracles & Irini are your hosts and they are offering breakfasts, drinks and snack and are open in the evenings too.
If you get stuck at Gatwick ever and want reasonable accommodation close to the airport. Yotel has recently opened (the idea of the entrepreneur behind Yo Sushi!) The cabins are 10m sq and they are available for a minimum of 4 hours. Ideal if you just need to put your head down for a few hours and have a shower to freshen up before carrying on your journey! You can book via the internet www.yotel.com
18 June 2007
Tilos is currently experiencing a heatwave with temperatures around 35 degrees C. The light breeze is a blessing! It is not too late to book for the current season there is some late availability and some good late flight details if you book at the last minute. The island is as peaceful and tranquil as ever and a perfect place to relax.
The new facilities at Ilidi Rock should be open shortly and the view from the reception area is sensational - the ideal spot for a gin & tonic before ambling into the village for dinner. There will also be a library of books, a gym, turkish bath and sauna available. Nothing, however, will detract from the quiet and privacy of all Ilidi accommodation.
Olympos Studios have received rave reviews for the new bathrooms & kitchens which have made this particular accommodation very good value as the prices were fixed before the work was carried out. Centrally located in the village, the Olympos Studios excellent quality and air conditioning is included.
Ian’s new Sunset Trip is going down well with guests and I gather quite substantial amounts of alcohol are consumed!
11 June 2007
For those who have already made a pencil reservation for Summer 2008, thank you for your continued support. I shall be speaking to my landlords over the next couple of weeks to finalise details for next year and then I shall be able to get back to you with details of deposits required, etc.
Watch this space for more details.